But he said he still planned to stand again for Labor at September's federal election.

"Mr Rudd has said consistently over the last 12 months that he would not challenge for the Labor leadership and that he would contest the next election as a local member of Parliament at the next election. That position has not changed," the statement from a spokesperson said.

"Furthermore, Mr Rudd wishes to make 100 per cent clear to all members of the parliamentary Labor Party, including his own supporters, that there are no circumstances under which he will return to the Labor Party leadership in the future."

Yesterday two Labor frontbenchers and three party whips were forced out of their roles, with Simon Crean, who kick-started the spill, the most high-profile casualty.

Today Ms Gillard, who now faces the task of re-uniting her divided party, said she expected more people to be considering their positions.

Ms Gillard said the message from yesterday was that the leadership issue was "over, it's clearly over".

"There was an opportunity, the opportunity wasn't used," she told ABC Local Radio in Melbourne.

Spill fiasco: The casualties so far

Simon CreanElder statesman who sparked the spill. Sacked for disloyalty before Question Time on Thursday.

Chris BowenEx-immigration minister, resigned all portfolios at an emotional press conference the day after the spill.

Martin FergusonFormer ACTU boss, resigned as resources, energy and tourism minister to go to the backbench.

Joel FitzgibbonChief whip who set the hounds running on Wednesday, says he will keep quiet for the foreseeable future.

Kim CarrMinister for human services and previously demoted Rudd backer, he has quit the ministry.

Richard MarlesForced to resign parliamentary secretary role after coming out strongly for Rudd on Thursday.

Ed HusicWestern Sydney MP who quit as whip after expressing no confidence in Gillard.

Janelle SaffinLong-time Rudd backer who resigned as whip after the challenge collapsed.

"Anyone who comes into a journalist's office in the future from the Labor party claiming to have the numbers will be met with gales of laughter."

Ms Gillard said she was working on the reshuffle and "there will be a few more people considering their position".

Speaking from Washington DC, Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr said he expected Ms Gillard's position to be made stronger after the events of Thursday.

Offering his "unqualified support" for Ms Gillard, he said: "I think she has renewed and affirmed her leadership."

No confidence threat

As MPs headed back to their electorates for a seven-week break, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the Coalition would try to move a motion of no confidence in the Government when Parliament resumes on May 14.

He told AM the Opposition would need support from all seven crossbenchers in the Lower House for the motion to pass, a result which would trigger an election.

"We've still got a Government which is paralysed. We've still got a civil war inside the Government," he said.

"It will be up to the independent members to look into their consciences, to consult with their electorates.

"I think their electorates will say, we want the people to choose the government and the prime minister. We are sick of backroom deals. We're sick of the faceless men."

A vote to hold a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister failed to pass the House of Representatives amid the turmoil yesterday because it did not get an absolute majority.

But this morning independent Tony Windsor said he backed Mr Abbott's "right" to test the waters with a wider motion of no confidence in the government itself.

"I said to Tony Abbott over the last two-and-a-half years, if you think the House doesn't have confidence in the Prime Minister or the Government, test the marketplace," he said.

"That's the first time yesterday that he's actually attempted to do that.

"If he does it again, I will support his right to seek leave to test the confidence of the House.

"I want to see it tested too. Let's see how the numbers stack up. Obviously he will probably do that next time the Parliament resumes."

Ms Gillard dismissed the no-confidence threat when she spoke to ABC Melbourne's Jon Faine this morning.

"I've heard Mr Abbott huff and puff about no confidence motions on many occasions and it never comes to anything," she said.